Board of Cooperative Education Services

Regional Technology Plan

5 Year Plan for Technology Services 

2023-2028

Western New York Regional Information Center 

Revised: December 2022

[Logos: CA BOCES, Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2- Chatauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES, Orleans Niagara BOCES, Greater Southern Tier BOCES, WNYRIC Technology Services]

Section One: Regional Technology Planning Process

The Planning Process

The Planning process provides direction to the WNYRIC by collecting information that provides keen insight into the needs of the school districts served by the WNYRIC.

These needs are collected by various shareholder groups comprised of leaders representing each division of the WNYRIC. Shareholder groups give their input to District Superintendents for each of the BOCES we serve. Once District Superintendents review and approve these needs, the WNYRIC begins to update or draft the plan.

As the WNYRIC implements the plan, it is responsible for monitoring the progress of each of the goals outlined. These progress reports are distributed to shareholder groups as a tool to guide discussion about future needs, feedback and input as to what can be done to better serve our schools.

Identifying and Prioritizing Regional Needs

A range of broad-based shareholder groups and other broad-based fact-finding methods are used to gather information for the purpose of framing the challenges facing school districts in the region. Care is taken to ensure no constituent shareholders are excluded. This results in the development of a plan that contains meaningful contributions from representatives of all school districts in the region, reflecting not only their needs, but also WNYRIC’s objectives to address those needs.

[Graphic Depicting a flow chart process. Chart begins with District Needs/Input/Feedback, then flows to Shareholder groups. These include FICA (Forum for Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment), Data Warehouse Liaisons, Technology Coordinators, Technology Standards, District Data Coordinators, District Data Protection Officers, and Superintendents. The chart then flows to "Regularly Scheduled Share outs to WNYRIC Leadership Team. The Leadership team in turn drafts the annual technology plan and presents the draft Technology Plan to district superintendents. District superintendents are charged with reviewing the Technology plan, ensuring the plan meets needs, and approves the plan for submission to NYSED. Once approved the plan moves into Implementation. To support implementation the WNYRIC creates and implements school supports and technology services. Through this the flow chart begins again at assessing the needs of districts. ]

Section Two: Current Context

Plan Scope and Regional Priorities                

• Technology Leadership - Maintain and evolve technology environments to support instructional and administrative needs.        
• Instructional Leadership - Provide and reinforce best practices to support instruction to enhance all students’ learning.        
• Data Leadership - Lead, guide and support regional instructional and administrative data requirements and district needs.      
• Data Privacy and Security - Provide and maintain a robust security environment to support the protection and reliability of data.

Section Three: Five Year Technology Plan

•  Technology Leadership- Maintain and evolve technology environments to support instructional and administrative needs.    Provide devices and access to support online learning.  NYSED Aligned Priorities:  1 and 3
  • Provide and support secure and cost-effective cloud offerings    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  3 and 6
  • Provide and support a secure and robust network environment  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:   6
  •  Plan for disaster recovery and redundancy    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 6
• Instructional Leadership - Provide and reinforce best practices to support technology integration for instruction to enhance all students’ learning.    Support districts in understanding and implementing computer science and digital fluency standards. NYSED Aligned Priorities: 3
  • Availability of programs to support online learning    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2 and 3
  • Prepare students for college and/or careers    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2 and 3
  • Access and engagement for all students    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2
  •  Implement tech integration strategies that align with NYS learning standards  
  • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  2,3, and 4
•  Data Leadership - Lead, guide and support regional instructional and administrative data initiatives.    Provide data views and reports for use in a multiple measure data approach to assess, analyze and prescribe learning plans for all students. NYSED Aligned Priorities:   5
  • Provide guidance and support for NYSED data collection, requirements and reporting process  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  5
  •  Implement and support new and existing data management systems that enhance regional services  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  5
• Data Privacy and Security - Provide and maintain a robust security environment to support the protection and reliability of data.    Provide guidance regarding Ed Law 2D compliance  NYSED Aligned Priorities:   6
  •  Provide cybersecurity guidance and support    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 6

Section Four: Plan Benefits

It is imperative for the school districts in the WNYRIC region to remain on the cutting edge as new technology and applications develop at a rapid pace. The role of the WNYRIC is to provide high quality professional development, innovative technology supports, access to on-demand customer service, and provide secure access to district data needs. The WNYRIC continues to enhance existing services with updated functionality, as well as offer new products to provide for the effective management of student information and meet the needs of school districts. As a result, WNYRIC staff will continue to investigate emerging technologies including their administrative and instructional uses and implications.

Digital Learning and Fluency Standards will provide the foundation for online offerings that support remote synchronous/asynchronous learning on the part of teachers, students, and school communities. The WNYRIC continues to examine new technologies to provide cost effective access from any device for administrators, teachers, and learners. We ensure that legal and district policies are in place to safely and securely navigate within these environments as compliant with Ed Law 2d and Part 121 Regulations. We continue to provide new instructional technology offerings through the statewide RFP process that is conducted by the WNYRIC.

Technology contributes significantly to how data is used for instructional planning and student achievement. We provide school administrators and teachers with critical information to target resources and forge instructional strategies to assist in the educational success of all students. The WNYRIC continues to be a leader in the collection and reporting of data that supports the tremendous impact of technology on instruction and student learning. WNYRIC staff investigates/researches/assists school districts with formative, summative, and innovative online and authentic assessment use that aligns with Computer Based Testing needs and the expectations of the NYS Blue Ribbon Commission. This is accomplished through effective technology planning as well as providing the essential professional development needed for successful implementation. WNYRIC staff continues to operate at a high level when it comes to all data privacy and security. We research and communicate potential threats and risks to ensure the protection of student information.

Using the input of the region and recommendations from the WNYRIC Standards committee, we establish a single set of service delivery standards that encompass hardware and telecommunications protocols. This allows us to provide consistent infrastructure services to all districts. The WNYRIC continues to design and implement the most cost effective, secure and robust bandwidth (network connectivity), including the utilization of priority layered design. Through our partnerships with multiple vendors and facilitating competitive bidding practices, we obtain a strong price advantage.

Optimization of the WNYRIC Service Desk is achieved using trend analysis to optimize services offered. We use video and centralized service tools to facilitate anytime self-service. Staff utilize the inclusive Active Directory to aid in efficient sharing of resources. For network infrastructure security enhancements, the WNYRIC staff implements cost optimization methods for wide area and local area network security. We remain focused on the continual enhancement of our Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) Plans and Procedures. The WNYRIC continues to update the Disaster Recovery Initiatives for our Tier 1 applications, as appropriate, and Tier 2 applications will be implemented based on time of recovery needs.

Section Five: Results from Previous Plan

Goal: Provide a secure, robust, cost-effective infrastructure at WNYRIC, in the cloud, as well as in the district as appropriate

• 1.1 Continue to ensure affordable access to high speed broadband in schools, libraries, and local municipalities through competitive bidding practices    The most flexible, cost effective resilient, redundant and robust internet and school district intranet network is in place.
  •     9/17/20 - New 5-year Broadband contract has been finalized with Spectrum. Aging equipment has been replaced in districts subscribing to the Broadband Service.
  •     3/11/21 - All hardware has been installed for new Broadband Connections and 75% of district circuits have been upgraded.
• 1.2 Continue to review and implement cost effective Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity initiatives for applicable Tier 1 applications and continue to design DRBC strategies for Tier 2 applications based on time of recovery needs.    
  • Continued enhancement of DR readiness for WNYRIC Tier 1 applications with DR cycle testing in place and Tier 2 applications DR readiness complete based on required time of recovery needs.
  • 3/11/21 - Initiating steps for walkthroughs, simulations, and full interruption testing.
• 1.3 Implementation of centralized, network security tools for wide area network and local area network security.    
  • Goal is realized as the most effective security measures are put in place on our network based on recent or future network threats. These security measures are implemented by WNYRIC network engineering staff in the local school districts, as necessary.
• 1.4 Implement Change Management to effectively communicate with end users and staff regarding process or technical changes to avoid downtime or outages. (Configuration Management and Release Management)   
  • Change Management is in place and ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) best practices are in place and communicated to the field.
• 1.5 Enhance how stake holders are informed of bandwidth utilization trends to better prepare and implement optimization strategies to optimize
• bandwidth availability    
  • Reporting four times a year at Advisory Council, Standards, DL consortium, and Technology Coordinators.
• 1.6 Research, design and implementation strategies are shared to ensure a robust managed wireless network is in place in school districts and BOCES   
  • The most flexible, cost effective resilient, redundant and robust centrally managed wireless network is in place which can support the school district and BOCES needs.
  •  9/17/20 - Adopted new Remote Access Point (RAP) tunneling technology to extend wireless infrastructure and authentication to remote facilities, easing administration by reducing hardware requirements.
• 1.7 Continue work with other BOCES/RICs and districts to find cost effective ways to deliver internet bandwidth and network security    
  • Cost effective methods are in use by customers.
• 1.8 Improve network infrastructure, security, and management options for public libraries by connecting to district broadband    
  • Connections to public libraries requested to school districts are in place. 3/11/21 - There are no libraries currently in the service. Due to enhanced alternate funding sources.
• 1.9 Implementation of cost-effective network security service utilizing the latest software and hardware security tools for wide area and local area networks  
  •  Security Service is available and implemented as districts engage in other technologies that impact network security.
• 1.10 Continue to investigate emerging technologies    
  • Pilot projects are implemented
  • 12/10/20-Investigating possible supplemental VoIP service to ensure compliance with new federal laws surrounding E-911 (Kari's Law and Ray Baum's Act).
• 1.11 Provide enhanced services in response to emerging customer needs    
  • Services to respond to emerging districts needs are provided.
    •     9/17/20 - Proactively researching expanding NYSERNET and increasing bandwidth with other vendors.
    • New enhancement to WNYRIC VoIP Service allowing staff/teachers to use business phone number remotely, without revealing personal phone information.
    • Covid-related WNYRIC Extended Classroom Service enhancements:
      • Fostered additional hotspot availability through Verizon (for duration of crisis)
      • Participating in NYS-RIC Kajeet Hotspot Program. Provided over 2400 hotspots to WNYRIC district to support remote learning objectives.
    •     3/11/21 - Increased bandwidth to NYSERNET and COGENT.
• 1.12 Extended Classroom, Mobile Learning and Connected Transportation    
  • Provide a safe, secure and cost-effective ways to expand broadband beyond the school campus utilizing wireless broadband and cellular LTE technology.
  • 9/17/20 - Covid-related WNYRIC Extended Classroom Service enhancements:
  • Participating in NYS-RIC Kajeet Hotspot Program. Provided over 2400 hotspots to WNYRIC districts to support remote learning objectives.
    • Fostered additional hotspot availability through Verizon (for duration of crisis)

Goal: Continue to enhance instructional offerings under CSLO

• 2.1 Continue to provide new offerings through the statewide RFP process and ensure compliance with Education Law2d    
  • New RFPs are released and awarded.
  • 5/20/2021 - Free online resources RFP was released and 20 vendors responded. The responses will be reviewed in May.
• 2.2 Continue to investigate emerging technologies and their instructional uses and implications    
  • Pilot Program implementation dates and follow up for various topics are in place.
• 2.3 Continue to investigate and support Science Technology Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) initiatives throughout the region  
  • New RFPs released and awarded.
  •     5/20/2021- The next STEM RFP will be released in June.

Goal: Develop and provide data systems, processes and services in support of accountability and or instructional improvement

• 3.1 Provide services to support paper-based NYS and district created assessments    
  • Paper-based and local assessment services are provided.
  • 9/17/20 - Despite cancellations of 3-8 Testing and June Regents, we continued to respond to NYSITELL answer sheet requests. Total NYSITELL administered as of 6/30 was 1149.
  • 12/10/20--Providing support and answer sheets for NYSITELL. Supporting districts as they order test booklets for 3-8 ELA and Math and answer sheets from us. To date, 6 districts have signed up for Vendor Scoring.
  • 3/11/21: Continue to support districts as we wait for the outcome for the NYS Waiver request: 1. Processing on-line orders for 3 – 8 assessments 2. Process and prepare NYSITELL answer sheets, 3. Designed and received approval on all answer sheet designs for 2021 NYS testing per specifications. 5. Prepared and presented testing updates in Dec DDC meetings. 6. Participate in NYSED weekly meetings.
  • 5/20/2021: Printed and shipped answer sheets for ELA and Math 3-8; processing of ELA is underway; deadline for data is end of May; Math is in progress; deadline is in June. Currently printing Science 4/8 and soon will print Regents answer sheets.
• 3.2 Research and support data collection requirements    
  • Information, training and support for new data collection requirements are provided.
  • 9/17/20 - Level 0 upgrades installed on schedule (e.g. 15.02) Established data collection loading processes and installed special Level 0 changes needed for COVID exemption data and day calendar changes. Communications sent to districts.
  • May 2020 DDC meetings rescheduled and held as webinars in June: 141 participants. L2RPT End of Year webinars provided in June, July and August –135 participants. Actively communicated with districts with outstanding data prior EOY data collection deadline. The same was done prior to the EOY certification deadline.
  • 12/10/20: Level 0 is current with upgrades (16.01). Began autoloading Special Ed Snapshot from SMS to Level 0. New DDC Training Program: Conducted Sessions 1 and 2. 25 participants. Final session scheduled for April. Facilitated October DDC webinar meetings. Four sessions: 124 participants. Communicated changes for UPK/PreK deadlines, staff reporting Began L2RPT BEDS webinars in Nov. Participants: 43. Will continue into Dec.
  • 3/11/21: Sent communications to districts for new data collection requirements for 20- 21 student daily attendance. Requires additional fields for instructional modality; districts now required to send positive and negative attendance.
  •     Featured changes at Dec DDC webinar meetings. Dec DDC participation:138. New collection requires SMS enhancements and Level 0 enhancements.
  • Received and installed Level 0 enhancements for student attendance. SMS enhancements targeted to be available by end of Feb.
  • Will continue discussions about changes at March DDC meetings. Enrollment to date: 111.
  • 5/20/21: March DDC meetings held. 139 participants. Completed final Session of 20-21 New DDC Training program in April. Final 20-21 DDC meetings commence May 10. Over 150 enrolled in 3 sessions.     
  • Continue to support districts with new requirements for attendance data collection.
  • Support for staff data collection related to Out of Certification reporting increased as deadline is in May. NYSED refined process this year. Out of Certification reporting is now via L2RPT versus IRS Portal.
  • New collections due May/June: Districts need to report Provisional ELLs—via IDEX Portal and SIRS (COVID impact); due May/June. Part of Title III annual verification.
  •  Plan to offer EOY L2RPT webinars during June/July
• 3.3 Research, develop and maintain reporting solutions for the effective use of data, including emerging district needs    
  • Expanded data reporting services are available.
  • 9/17/20 - New report/visualizations available: COVID Exemptions Report-Helps to verify which students received Regents Exemptions in 2019-2020 school year. New District Comparison Visualization using NYS Report Card data (data.nysed.gov). Created an AIS Services Required/Received report that shows whether a student should have received AIS Services along with a record of receiving them, Created a visualization for assistance with Perkins Grant CTE Outcomes data
  • 12/10/20- New Individual Staff Verification Report created to help districts with teachers verifying their data after the discontinuance of TAA . In September, began offering four DW webinars per month offered for users: Navigation (39 participants to date). Verification Reports (68) Instructional Reports (63) and Visualizations (43)
  • 3/11/21: Continued offering DW sessions monthly: 41 participants since Dec. 11 New student daily attendance data beginning to be collected
  • Updated Student Daily Attendance Visualization to include new fields and calculations for attendance, Participating with several RICs on a NYSED Data Quality workgroup. Primary focus is Level 0. First meeting held in mid-Feb
  • 5/20/21: Participating in RIC workgroup focused on Post Secondary reporting using NSC data. Will aid us in determining reporting for Level 1,  Review of 3-8 ELA and Math reports to accommodate changes related to changes in testing, e.g., new Std Achieved code for Remote instruction, use of Session 1 data only. Continued offering DW webinars: Total to date: 268. Plan to offer Webinar with release of 3-8 reports, Updates to CRDC reports are in process. Reports aid districts by reducing the time required to complete the CRDC forms, Quality Control: Enhanced reporting to enable WNYRIC and other hosted RICs to monitor districts with missing data, WNYRIC developed extract for P-EBT to be shared with other RICs so that RICs can produce the files to send to Child Nutrition office on behalf of districts.
• 3.4 Incorporate data privacy and security information into service delivery    Processes are in place to authorize appropriate access to and for the use of data.
  • 9/17/20 - Managed Level 0 (61) WNYRIC DW Security (56) and Test Scoring access requests. Processed deletes and Level 0 password resets, Communications sent to districts in June and July reminding them to review available audit reports. Processed delete requests.
  • Data privacy and security was a topic at June DDC webinar meetings. Audited internal Level 0 and WNYRIC DW users and deleted users as needed.
  • 12/10/20: Concluded testing for new DW LDAP security changes to improve security and password reset processes. Hosted RICs currently testing Targeted implementation: Dec 7. Recent Level 0 updates included additional security features per NYSED standards—e.g. screen timeouts, password resets after 6 months. October DDC meetings—included section on privacy and security.
  • 3/11/21: DW: Successfully implemented DW security changes into production on Dec. 7 providing enhanced security features.     
  • 5/20/21: DW security changes include a 90-day password expiration. Users began to receive first notices in early April. DW Support assisted users with questions about the notices and the process to update passwords.
• 3.5 Provide a data security and privacy service for assisting districts with managing the requirements of Ed Law 2D, as well as, other district needs    
  • Data privacy and security service is available.
  • 9/17/20 - With (30) districts currently participating. Districts are developing their data inventories and preparing their public Bill of Rights pages using the inventory tool component of the service. The online professional development modules have also been deployed by many of the districts to comply with Ed Law 2D training requirements.
  • A Data Protection Officer Service, to provide guidance and mentoring to those filling that role is also available, with 24 districts participating. The first meeting took place in August and DPOs began work on a Target Profile for the Identify function of the NIST framework.
  • 12/10/20 -With (34) districts currently participating. Districts are completing their data inventories and publishing their public Bill of Rights pages using the inventory tool component of the service. The online professional development modules have also been deployed by many of the districts to comply with Ed Law 2D training requirements.
  • A Data Protection Officer Service, to provide guidance and mentoring to those filling that role is also available, with 26 districts participating. The first meeting took place in August and DPOs began work on a Target Profile for the Identify function of the NIST framework. The next meeting in November continued the work on the Identify function and introduced both a Risk Management register and the Protect Target Profile.
  • 3/11/21:With (34) districts currently participating. Districts are completing their data inventories and publishing their public Bill of Rights pages using the inventory tool component of the service. The online professional development modules have also been deployed by many districts to comply with Ed Law 2D training requirements.
  • A Data Protection Officer Service, to provide guidance and mentoring to those filling that role is also available, with (26) districts participating. Work on the NIST Target Profile continued at the February DPO meeting. Also, districts collaborated in virtual group sessions.
  • 5/20/21: Thirty-six districts are currently participating in Data Privacy & Security Service. Districts continue to input their data inventories, publish their public Bill of Rights information and deploy the training modules to comply with NYS Education Law 2d requirements.
  • A Data Protection Officer Service, to provide guidance and mentoring to those filling that role is also available, with (28) districts participating. At the May DPO meeting, work continued on the Asset Management category of the NIST Target Profile in both large group and breakout sessions.

Objective 4: Support the initiative for Computer Based Testing (CBT)

• 4.1 Communicate and support current NYS requirements regarding CBT    
  • Districts are provided appropriate information and support to successfully implement NYS Computer Based Testing (CBT).
  • 12/10/20 Participate in weekly NYSED calls; Currently 35 districts are signed up for CBT. Provided support for Nextera e.g account questions, comparison of WNYRIC records with that loaded into Nextera, data corrections, and ensuring tech ready reports and lead scoring entity is in place. These are requirements before CBT is allowed.
  • 3/11/21: 3-8 ELA and Math: Continue to support to districts for Spring 2021 CBT: 1. Participate in NYSED OSA’s weekly CBT meetings. 2. Process on-line orders for 3 – 8 CBT assessments. 4. Review NYSEDs CBT data, Simulation, Operational Testing and Lead Scoring entity signup lists and compare it to data in the Data Warehouse data for accuracy; reach out to districts for changes and/or update as needed. 5. Review student data in in Nextera for troubleshooting NYSAA Educator Portal (Kite system): Support is also provided for NYSAA CBT
  • 5/20/21: Assisted districts with Nextera transfers, provided support as needed during administration of ELA; continue to do so as Math is administered.
• 4.2 Investigate/research/assist districts with readiness for online assessment use through planning for technology, providing technical expertise and best practices as needed.    
  • Districts are assisted with readiness for CBT or emerging online assessments.

Objective 5: Continue to enhance existing services with updated functionality and new product offerings

• 5.1 Implement and support solutions to meet the needs of school business and Human Resources including emerging district needs.    
  • Solutions for Financial, HR and Administrative Services are implemented and supported.
  •     9/17/20 – The nVision team has successfully completed the upgrades from Finance Manager to nVision for 54 nVision school districts. This upgrade included extensive communication amongst all departments involved.
  • The WinCap team successfully completed the 2016 Server Migration, as a required security upgrade, to 33 WinCap school districts. These districts were part of a detailed timeline, which was communicated to all departments, thus making for a successful migration.
  • 12/10/20- Finance Manager made enhancements to the nVision software, to accommodate FFCRA (Families First Coronavirus Response Act) financial reporting. The nVision team provides support to districts on the actual set-up in the nVision software.
  • The first WNYRIC WinCap district has successfully transitioned to the new required NYSLRS (New York State Local Retirement System) enhanced reporting. The WNYRIC WinCap team was part of this pilot, that will benefit the remaining 32 districts when they transition to this format.
  • 03/11/21- WinCap and nVision teams provided information to affected districts regarding a new Section 106 b of the State Technology law that was enacted that continues to prohibit the use of biometric identifying technology for any purpose. There are a couple exceptions for employees for fingerprinting, or with employee consent. Several districts had implemented time clock systems utilizing this technology. Information on disabling that functionality was provided. Sample notification is available in the document folder.
  • 05/20/21- The WinCap and nVision finance teams continue to assist our 97 districts with support, following the Office of the NYS Comptrollers GASB84 statement release, that requires changes in reporting fiduciary activities, effective July 1, 2021.
• 5.2 Implement and support solutions to meet the needs of Facilities including emerging district needs.    
  • Solutions for Facilities Services are implemented and supported.
  • 9/17/20QWare 2.0 allows students to submit tickets on equipment issues. The option of customized health screening questions was added to the following: Raptor and TPASS for visitors; QWare for staff.
  • 12/10/20- PLM (Professional Learning Management) districts can now take advantage of a Single Sign-On URL to access all their Frontline applications.
  • 03/11/2021 - Raptor Visitor Management System: The student tardy write-back feature via Clever and/or ClassLink, is now available to write back tardies from Raptor to PowerSchool. Applicant Tracking: Completed the successful migration to cloud hosting with the Applicant Tracking vendor PowerSchool to improve district service and performance.
  • 05/20/21- Applicant Tracking consortium members were invited to attend a presentation sponsored by the Buffalo Area Teacher Recruitment Day Committee, represented by 10 local colleges and universities. This committee discussed the outcome of the Buffalo Area Teacher Recruitment Day event and the success of their networking and mentoring programs. These programs benefit the graduates, as they will be the future teachers in our districts. Our Applicant Tracking brochure is distributed at these colleges, with instructions on how to set up an account so that graduates can apply for open positions within our districts.
• 5.3 Implement and support solutions for the effective management of information about students, including emerging district needs.  
  • Solutions for student related data needs are implemented and supported.
  • 9/17/20 - New and enhanced services are being offered to help districts track COVID-19 screening. Over 30 districts are participating in these services: Frontline, Illuminate, SNAP.
  • 12/10/20- Student teams are staying abreast of NYS guidance and changes in attendance, grading, scheduling, etc., related to the COVID pandemic. Training and guidance are shared with districts as changes are happening.
  •  03/11/21- The PowerSchool and eSchoolData teams are working closely with districts to provide guidance for reporting attendance and other changing NYS data needs. Began loading new required attendance data from eSD at the end of February. The Websmartt Cafeteria Service team provided information to affected districts regarding a new Section 106 b of the State Technology law that was enacted which continues to prohibit the use of biometric identifying technology for any purpose. There are a couple exceptions for employees. Several districts have implemented biometric technology as part of the Point-of-Sale system. Information on disabling this functionality was provided. Sample notification is available in the document folder.
•     5/20/21 - There are now 10 districts using Mosaic POS Cafeteria under WNYRIC support. WNYRIC released an RFP for Student Management Systems, which closed on May 18. Responses are currently being reviewed.
• 5.4 Implement and support solutions for the effective use of the website and notification services, including emerging district needs.    
  • New and enhanced solutions are implemented and supported.
  • 9/17/20 - In August 2020, WNYRIC began support of Remind classroom notification software for districts. Presently, 14 have joined the service
  • 03/11/2021- Remind service now has 17 districts joined.
• 5.5 Implement and support solutions for the effective use of the email and forms services, including emerging district needs.    
  • New and enhanced solutions are implemented and supported.
  • 9/17/20 - An electronic forms RFP was recently awarded for modern forms software, Clevr. Team will begin to work with vendor and initial
• district on implementation.
  • 12/10/20 - First district has joined the clevr service. Webinar held Nov. 12 to demo product. Email team is implementing a new email security system called FortiMail; it is expected to replace the current system and provide additional capabilities. Once installed, pilot districts will be involved and eventual roll out to all after a successful testing period.
  • 03/11/21- FortiMail is installed and in use for Erie 1 BOCES; pilot districts expected to begin in April 2021. Email Archive RFP issued February 1st and closes March 8th. Looking for competitive pricing and vendor hosted options to reduce costs. Migrated the last district off of Lotus Notes email in February. For almost 15 years, there were close to 60 districts on that platform. Current breakdown: Exchange Online 34, Gmail 31, Exchange on Prem 4
  • 5/20/21-Refining FortiMail configuration with Erie 1 as a pilot to provide optimal performance and protection. Preparing to begin summer installation for schools.  Email Archive RFP recommendations to May board meeting.
• 5.6 Enhance communication methods to inform constituencies efficiently and effectively.    
  • Efficient and effective communication methods are in place and proven effective through customer feedback.
• 5.7 Incorporate data privacy and security information into service delivery    
  • Data privacy and security information is provided.
     

 

Appendix A: Regulatory Requirements Summary

This plain text version does not support page numbers. Please find the list of required elements below. Each of these elements have been included in this plain text version. 

Required Elements: 

• A description of the regional collaborative planning process  
• A description of how the regional technology plan supports efficient and effective provision of technology services, which includes a description of major challenges to be addressed by the plan.  
• A description of how the regional technology plan addresses the technology and data priorities and needs of the state, and how such plan will increase school district access to technology and assist school districts in developing and maintaining robust information privacy, information security, and cybersecurity controls;
  • State Priority 1: Improving digital equity, including increasing student and teachers access to devices and broadband internet both in school buildings and in place(s) of residence;  
  • State Priority 2: Increasing access to technology-enhanced, culturally- and linguistically-responsive, differentiated, and personalized learning environments to support improved teaching and learning for all students, including students with disabilities and English language learners (ELLs) 
  • State Priority 3: Increasing equitable access to high-quality instruction, courses, and multi-modal learning experiences through digital technology, including but not limited to advanced courses, for all districts, including small, rural, and/or high -needs districts;  
  • State Priority 4: Providing access to relevant and rigorous professional development to ensure educators and leaders are proficient in technology for both instructional and administrative purposes;  
  • State Priority 5: Utilize, maintain, and continue to enhance a robust data environment, including but not limited to the multiple data collection points within the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) and all data applications within the New York State Business Application Portal, to positively impact instruction and decision-making;
  • State Priority 6: Implementing and maintaining data privacy and security controls ensuring compliance with all applicable privacy laws and regulations including, but not limited to, New York Education Law 2-d.  
• A list of regional priorities and needs that the regional technology plan will address;    
• A description of the methods used to identify and priorities needs in the region, which shall include engagement with key stakeholder groups;    3
• A list of quantifiable goals and a description of how the goals will directly address the regional technology needs and improve service delivery over the next five years;  
• Performance objectives for the first two years of the plan;  
• A description of the procedures which will be put in place to monitor the plan’s implementation;  
• An evaluation of the performance objectives for the previous two years 
• Appendix A 
• Appendix B    

Appendix B: Cooperative Planning Assurances

• I approve the regional collaborative planning process used to develop and maintain our regional technology plan. I assure that my BOCES participated fully in the development of this regional plan.
• I assure that users, as defined in guidance, were substantively involved in the development of this plan.
• I assure that all technology services offered by my BOCES and the Regional Information Center are cost-effective.

Document Signed by:

• Scott Payne, Cattaraugus/Allegany BOCES
• Dr. Michael Capuana, Erie 1 BOCES
• Dr. David O'Rourke, Erie 2/Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES
• Taweepon Farrar, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Board of Cooperative Education Services

Regional Technology Plan

5 Year Plan for Technology Services 

2024-2029

Western New York Regional Information Center 

Revised: November 2023

[Logos: CA BOCES, Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2- Chatauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES, Orleans Niagara BOCES, WNYRIC Technology Services]

Section One: Regional Technology Planning Process

The Planning Process

The Planning process provides direction to the WNYRIC by collecting information that provides keen insight into the needs of the school districts served by the WNYRIC.

These needs are collected by various shareholder groups comprised of leaders representing each division of the WNYRIC. Shareholder groups give their input to District Superintendents for each of the BOCES we serve. Once District Superintendents review and approve these needs, the WNYRIC begins to update or draft the plan.

As the WNYRIC implements the plan, it is responsible for monitoring the progress of each of the goals outlined. These progress reports are distributed to shareholder groups as a tool to guide discussion about future needs, feedback and input as to what can be done to better serve our schools

Identifying and Prioritizing Regional Needs

A range of broad-based shareholder groups and other broad-based fact-finding methods are used to gather information for the purpose of framing the challenges facing school districts in the region. Care is taken to ensure no constituent shareholders are excluded. This results in the development of a plan that contains meaningful contributions from representatives of all school districts in the region, reflecting not only their needs, but also WNYRIC’s objectives to address those needs.

[Graphic Depicting a flow chart process. Chart begins with District Needs/Input/Feedback, then flows to Shareholder groups. These include FICA (Forum for Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment), Data Warehouse Liaisons, Technology Coordinators, Technology Standards, District Data Coordinators, District Data Protection Officers, and Superintendents. The chart then flows to "Regularly Scheduled Share outs to WNYRIC Leadership Team. The Leadership team in turn drafts the annual technology plan and presents the draft Technology Plan to district superintendents. District superintendents are charged with reviewing the Technology plan, ensuring the plan meets needs, and approves the plan for submission to NYSED. Once approved the plan moves into Implementation. To support implementation the WNYRIC creates and implements school supports and technology services. Through this the flow chart begins again at assessing the needs of districts. ]

Section Two: Current Context

Plan Scope and Regional Priorities                

• Technology Leadership - Maintain and evolve technology environments to support instructional and administrative needs.        
• Instructional Leadership - Provide and reinforce best practices to support instruction to enhance all students’ learning.        
• Data Leadership - Lead, guide and support regional instructional and administrative data requirements and district needs.      
• Data Privacy and Security - Provide and maintain a robust security environment to support the protection and reliability of data.

Section Three: Five Year Technology Plan

•  Technology Leadership- Maintain and evolve technology environments to support instructional and administrative needs.    Provide devices and access to support online learning.  NYSED Aligned Priorities:  1 and 3
  • Provide and support secure and cost-effective cloud offerings    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  3 and 6
  • Provide and support a secure and robust network environment  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:   6
  •  Plan for disaster recovery and redundancy    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 6
• Instructional Leadership - Provide and reinforce best practices to support technology integration for instruction to enhance all students’ learning.    Support districts in understanding and implementing computer science and digital fluency standards. NYSED Aligned Priorities: 3
  • Availability of programs to support online learning    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2 and 3
  • Prepare students for college and/or careers    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2 and 3
  • Access and engagement for all students    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2
  •  Implement tech integration strategies that align with NYS learning standards  
  • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  2,3, and 4
•  Data Leadership - Lead, guide and support regional instructional and administrative data initiatives.    Provide data views and reports for use in a multiple measure data approach to assess, analyze and prescribe learning plans for all students. NYSED Aligned Priorities:   5
  • Provide guidance and support for NYSED data collection, requirements and reporting process  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  5
  •  Implement and support new and existing data management systems that enhance regional services  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  5
• Data Privacy and Security - Provide and maintain a robust security environment to support the protection and reliability of data.    Provide guidance regarding Ed Law 2D compliance  NYSED Aligned Priorities:   6
  •  Provide cybersecurity guidance and support    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 6

Section Four: Plan Benefits

It is imperative for the school districts in the WNYRIC region to remain on the cutting edge as new technology and applications develop at a rapid pace. The role of the WNYRIC is to provide high quality professional development, innovative technology supports, access to on-demand customer service, and provide secure access to district data needs. The WNYRIC continues to enhance existing services with updated functionality, as well as offer new products to provide for the effective management of student information and meet the needs of school districts. As a result, WNYRIC staff will continue to investigate emerging technologies including their administrative and instructional uses and implications.

Digital Learning and Fluency Standards will provide the foundation for online offerings that support remote synchronous/asynchronous learning on the part of teachers, students, and school communities. The WNYRIC continues to examine new technologies to provide cost effective access from any device for administrators, teachers, and

learners. We ensure that legal and district policies are in place to safely and securely navigate within these environments as compliant with Ed Law 2d and Part 121 Regulations. We continue to provide new instructional technology offerings through the statewide RFP process that is conducted by the WNYRIC.

Technology contributes significantly to how data is used for instructional planning and student achievement. We provide school administrators and teachers with critical information to target resources and forge instructional strategies to assist in the educational success of all students. The WNYRIC continues to be a leader in the collection and reporting of data that supports the tremendous impact of technology on instruction and student learning. WNYRIC staff investigates/researches/assists school districts with formative, summative, and innovative online and authentic assessment use that aligns with Computer Based Testing needs and the expectations of the NYS Blue Ribbon Commission. This is accomplished through effective technology planning as well as providing the essential professional development needed for successful implementation. WNYRIC staff continues to operate at a high level when it comes to all data privacy and security. We research and communicate potential threats and risks to ensure the protection of student information.

Using the input of the region and recommendations from the WNYRIC Standards committee, we establish a single set of service delivery standards that encompass hardware and telecommunications protocols. This allows us to provide consistent infrastructure services to all districts. The WNYRIC continues to design and implement the most cost effective, secure and robust bandwidth (network connectivity), including the utilization of priority layered design. Through our partnerships with multiple vendors and facilitating competitive bidding practices, we obtain a strong price advantage.

Optimization of the WNYRIC Service Desk is achieved using trend analysis to optimize services offered. We use video and centralized service tools to facilitate anytime self-service. Staff utilize the inclusive Active Directory to aid in efficient sharing of resources. For network infrastructure security enhancements, the WNYRIC staff implements cost optimization methods for wide area and local area network security. We remain focused on the continual enhancement of our Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) Plans and Procedures. The WNYRIC continues to update the Disaster Recovery Initiatives for our Tier 1 applications, as appropriate, and Tier 2 applications will be implemented based on time of recovery needs.

Section Five: Results from Previous Plan

Goal #1: Provide a secure, robust, cost-effective infrastructure at WNYRIC, in the cloud, as well as in the district as appropriate

 

• Implement Change Management to effectively communicate with end users and staff regarding process or technical changes to avoid downtime or outages. (Configuration Management and Release Management)
  • Change Management is in place and ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) best practices are in place and communicated to the field.
• Provide enhanced services in response to emerging customer needs    
  • Services to respond to emerging districts needs are provided
  • 3/23/23 - Piloting an E-Fax Service: FERPA/PPRA Compliant. DID (Direct Inward Dial) fax numbers can replace copper lines and aggregated page counts can be cost effective.
• Extended Classroom, Mobile Learning and Connected Transportation
  • Provide safe, secure and cost-effective ways to expand broadband beyond the school campus utilizing wireless broadband and cellular LTE technology.

 
Goal #2: Continue to enhance instructional offerings under CSLO

• Continue to provide new offerings through the statewide RFP process and ensure compliance with Education Law 2d    
  • New RFPs are released and awarded.
• Continue to investigate emerging technologies and their instructional uses and implications
  • Pilot Program implementation dates and follow up for various topics are in place.
• Continue to investigate and support Science Technology Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) initiatives throughout the region
  • New RFPs released and awarded.
  •     9/22/2022 - STEAM RFP & Free Resources RFP - closed 7/20/22 to be awarded in Sept.
•     3/23/2023 –Sept Award: STEAM - Age of Learning,Inc, BlocksCAD Inc., Coder Kids, Inc. DBA Codelicious, Drone Sports Inc., DroneBlocks LLC, Hello World CS, Kahoot! ASA, moozoom education inc., NS4ed, LLC, Quizziz Inc., Rocket Drones, Inc., Savvas Learning Company LLC, World Book, Inc  Free Resources – Scrible, Canva Feb Award: STEAM - eDynamic Learning, Electronic Gaming Federation, EliteGamingLive, Hive Class Inc.,, Learnics, REX Academy, UpSavvy, VIVI, Wakelet, 7 Mindsets

 Goal #3: Develop and provide data systems, processes and services in support of accountability and or instructional improvement

• Provide services to support paper-based NYS and district created assessments    
  • Paper-based and local assessment services are provided.
  •     9/22/2022 –    August Regents assessments –answer sheets printed, scanned as received and verified,   Printing Score reports for 2021-22 3-8 ELA, Math printed and shipped, Others printed as additional requests come in.
  •     3/23/2023 – Updated and opened online order software to allow districts to order Jan. Regents answer sheets, 3-8 ELA & Math, Science 8. January Regents answer sheets printed, scanned and verified, Scores are present in WNYRIC DW Reports and L2RPT, printed 3-8 ELA and Math answer sheets. Shipping complete.
  •     5/18/2023 - ELA/Math 3-8 answer sheet processing began May 2; will end May 30, June Regents printed and shipped, Science 8 answer sheets printed and shipped, Data support provided for ELA/Math 3-8 CBT administration e.g. student moves, import, data questions,  Webinar offered on March 30 to districts, BOCES, charters and non-public schools to provide details about assessment processing. Response was very positive (98 participants.)
• Research and support data collection requirements
  • Information, training and support for new data collection requirements are provided.
  • 9/22/2022 - New this year is a data collection for student data for students participating in P-Tech programs. Starts in January; new template for collecting the data.
  •  3/23/2023 - December DDC meetings were held. One at E1B; 3 webinars. 148 participants, NYSED implemented new enrollment code (8300) and grade (UNK) to track compulsory age students no longer attending school and no documentation, Data Collection and Verification: Continue to offer Level 0, NYSSIS, L2RPT/Lvl 1 Verification (BEDS reports, UIAS, DQRC): Total: 101 participants.
  • 5/18/2023 - Final session of New DDC Training Program offered. 25 participants, March DDC webinars offered: 142, Level 0, Level 1 Verification, L2RPT, NYSSIS. UIAS webinars offered. # of participants: Total participants: 148, New Tested/Not Tested Report Training: 30 Participants, Continued to produce monthly DW newsletter—most recent was April.
  •     Expanded data reporting services are available.
• Research, develop and maintain reporting solutions for the effective use of data, including emerging district needs
  •  Assessment data from 3-8, NYSESLAT, NYSAA and Regents used to refresh reports and visualizations.
  • Continue to respond to requests for modifications.
  •     12/8/2022 – Continue to introduce and maintain visualizations: Added an Enrollment visualization and Graduation visualization, Downloaded released assessments data from NYSED public site to update our NYS District Comparison Visualization.
  •     3/23/2023 - Liaison meeting held; One with WNYRIC component BOCES and one including hosted RICs and Big 5, Instructional Reporting/Visualizations Webinars: 38
• Incorporate data privacy and security information into service delivery    Processes are in place to authorize appropriate access to and for the use of data.
  • 9/22/2022 - Communications are in process to request district contacts to audit current L0 and Level 1 security.
  • 12/8/2022 –DW Support is sending e-mails to districts as part of audit process, Data privacy and security are topics at the first DDC meetings of the year—Sept/Oct, DW and Lvl 0 password changes are automated to occur every 6 months.
• 3/23/2023 - L0 now uses multifactor authentication
• 5/18/2023 -L0 Security review and outreach conducted with districts to ensure security is up to date, Internal meetings set up with SMS managers and coordinators to review L0 security and identify changes needed, SpEd, completed. E-School Data and Powerschool in process.

 
Goal #4: Support the initiative for Computer Based Testing (CBT)

• Communicate and support current NYS requirements regarding CBT    
  • Districts are provided appropriate information and support to successfully implement NYS Computer Based Testing (CBT).
  •     9/22/2022 – All districts received the memo regarding schools utilizing CBT by 2026. Planning for Fall presentation for districts new to CBT.
  •     12/8/2022 – Multiple communications sent: Ordering processes for NYSED and WNYRIC concerning CBT; access to Nextera, data requirements and deadlines, lead scoring entities, Participate in weekly calls and review weekly spreadsheets from NYSED, communicate any changes required in preparation for testing.
  •     12/8/22 - Vendor Scoring RFP was awarded to Ed Vistas and Premier Assessment Services
  •     3/23/2023 - Winter Roadshow with NWEA/Questar & WNYRIC
  •     5/18/2023 -Webinar delivered for districts, BOCES, charters and non public schools to provide details about assessment processing and CBT. 98 participants.

 
Goal #5: Continue to enhance existing services with updated functionality and new product offerings

• Implement and support solutions to meet the needs of school business and Human Resources including emerging district needs.    Solutions for Financial, HR and Administrative Services are implemented and supported.
  •     9/22/2022 - HR team is now implementing Onboarding and eForms solutions from PowerSchool and SchoolFront.
  • 12/8/2022 - A new mandatory NYS Health Care Worker Bonus Program began October 1st. The nVision and WinCap software teams communicated to the 89 WNYRIC supported school district's vendor guidance on this reporting. The announcement was made to the 17 districts on PDP Premier that this application will sunset June 30, 2026. Webinar demos are being scheduled for districts to review other options.
  • 3/23/2023 – Additional services available within the Applicant Tracking System: 1.    The Request to Post; This efficient addition will allow supervisors to fill out paperless job requisitions that will follow an internal approval path, to post in Applicant Tracking. 2.    The Internal Application; Shorter applications for current employees that apply for internal postings.
  • 5/18/2023 - Investigating support for the PowerSchool Unified Talent Professional Learning product in the 2023-24 fiscal year, a module used to assist staff in tracking their professional development goals and additional option as a replacement for PDP Premier. This will allow for applicant recruiting, onboarding and storing personnel records all in one integrated system. Successfully collaborated with Harris School Solutions, to create an automated export from WinCap to PowerSchool Employee Records site, exporting employee demographics on a nightly basis.
• Implement and support solutions to meet the needs of Facilities including emerging district needs.    
  • Solutions for Facilities Services are implemented and supported.
  • 3/23/2023 - New Facilities Planning RFP to be released in the Spring of 2023.
  • 5/18/2023 – Will begin supporting Raptor Emergency Management System modules in 2023-24 school year. We will also communicate with local Safety/Risk BOCES services. Demonstrations are scheduled for May 31.
• Implement and support solutions for the effective management of information about students, including emerging district needs.    
  • Solutions for student related data needs are implemented and supported.
  • 12/8/2023 -No new implementations of WebSMARTT. Support for WebSMARTT to end as of 6/30/2025. There are currently 20 districts remaining in the WebSMARTT service, with several of them already planning to migrate to Mosaic Cloud. We have 32 districts on Mosaic Cloud. Family ID is a great option for district e-forms. PowerSchool districts may want to consider eCollect for this purpose, while Operoo is an excellent choice for eSchoolData districts. Portfolio+ (formerly webEDGE) offers districts a single sign-on solution to display assessments, reports, and documents to parents and guardians via the SMS parent portal.
  • 3/23/23 - RFP for Student Information Systems is being released. There are now 36 districts on Mosaic Cloud, with 17 remaining on WebSMARTT.
  • 5/18/2023 - Partnering with districts to implement Single Sign-On (SSO) with student management systems, eSD and PS. Currently reviewing responses to SMS RFP.
• Implement and support solutions for the effective use of the website and notification services, including emerging district needs.    New and enhanced solutions are implemented and supported.
  • 2/8/2022 - Planning to release an RFP for website solutions. Blackboard K-12 purchased by Finalsite, transition from BB to Finalsite website platform is planned. Other website solutions will also be considered.
  • 3/23/2023 - RFP for website solutions - Evaluation process underway. 4 vendors will present for an April award.
  • 5/18/2023 – Vendors awarded at board meeting 4/12/2023. Contract negotiations have begun: Apptegy, Inc., Active Internet Technologies, LLC, dba Finalsite, Intrado Interactive Services Corporation, ParentSquare, Inc. Incorporate data privacy and security information into service delivery    Data privacy and security information is provided.

Year 2: 2023-2024

• Technology Leadership - Maintain and evolve technology environments to support instructional and administrative needs.
  • Provide and support a secure and robust network environment  
    • 18 months away from next bid. Emails are going out November 2023 to check on district needs. This will assist in the next bid process.  
  • Provide devices and access to support online and all learning

    • Erie 1 BOCES Virtual Academy

    • Erie 2, CA and Erie 1 support various DL activities

    • Wave Academy – Erie 2 BOCES

  • Provide and support secure and cost-effective cloud offerings  
    • exploring backing up Google and Office 365
  • Plan for disaster recovery and redundancy
    • Erie 1 DPO is working with E2 Tech Director to set up the Jan 2024 Erie 2 Tech meeting on creating incident response plans and disaster recovery
• Instructional Leadership - Provide and reinforce best practices to support technology integration for instruction to enhance all students’ learning.
  • Support districts in understanding and implementing computer science and digital fluency standards    •    Erie 1 Tech Coordinators are assisting districts in aligning current practices with CS/DF standards at the Middle School Levels
    • Erie 1 Tech Coordinators are supporting districts in aligning Computer Science Course Names and Descriptions with State provided names and descriptions as they work toward meeting the SOCE Criteria for Computer Science Teachers
    • Erie 1 Tech Coordinators have assisted districts in the development of Computer Science courses at the Elementary/Middle School level-developed around the standards.
    • Continually Developing Research backed best practices for implementing the CS/DF standards
    • Provide Regional and district requested PD
    • Lead Tech Integrator Groups engaging district tech integrators in the work around supporting teachers with the rollout of the standards
    • Incorporate the CS/DF standards into all applicable PD sessions.
  • Availability of programs to support online learning
    • Online academy available to all WNYRIC districts.
    • Erie 1 is offering asynchronous professional development to educators across the state through the TRLE Phase III grant.
    • Distance learning collaborations to provide access to online courses for electives as well as credit recovery options for all our districts.
    • As requested, provide professional development centered around remote/hybrid instruction and best practices.
    • Training on different LMS options (Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Schoology, Canvas, D2L, etc.) preparing teachers to deliver content as effectively virtually as they do in person.
    • Professional Development around feedback and opportunities that exist to provide feedback virtually to students, in real time, to promote success in any mode of learning.
  • Prepare students for college and/or careers
    • Authentic experiences and collaborations with business community, 43 North, Arts and Cultural Institutions
    •  Consortiums like the Consortium for Student Empowerment Through Innovation (CSETI) which focuses on real-world problem solving and Project Based approaches to make learning meaningful for students
    • Focus on pedagogical shifts that place priority on student communication and skills aligned to the Blue-Ribbon Commission’s portrait of a NYS graduate.
    • Offering pilot programs that include game design, Virtual Reality, and Drones that are applicable to future careers for students.
    • Teaching students and teachers how to leverage different technologies in new and impactful ways and showing them skills they will employ in college and career.
  • Access and engagement for all students
    • Promotion of tech integration to enhance instruction.
    • Professional development centered around the effective use of technology to engage and empower students who typically do not have a voice in the classroom.
    • Leveraging technology to provide all students with access to the same digital resources to provide equitable opportunities for success.
    • Professional Development around software and products that provide student choice in product creation.
    • Coaching opportunities for teachers as they integrate technology into their classrooms to support teachers and students as they engage with new technologies.
  • Implement tech integration strategies that align with NYS learning standards
    • Professional Development structured to focus on pedagogical shifts to support the NYS Learning Standards.
    • Professional Development including ways to communicate learning targets and standard to be met throughout the lesson.
    • Assisting Teachers in the development of flipped classrooms where instructional videos to deliver content are created freeing up class time to focus on student mastery of skills and targets.
    • Professional development on products and software that can make the content of lessons more engaging for students
    • Training on opportunities that exist with technologies like AI and how they can be leveraged as learning tools to support student learning and growth toward mastery.
• Data Leadership - Lead, guide and support regional instructional and administrative data initiatives.
  • Provide data views and reports for use in a multiple measure data approach to assess, analyze and prescribe learning plans for all students    
    • Cognos Upgrade Project: Commenced last Spring with initial upgrade in Test, Component BOCES were provided with test accounts to review and provide feedback, Feedback was positive on the look, the new navigation, the and the new District Dashboard, We moved to production the first of November. Training sessions for new navigation have been scheduled.
    • Evaluation of the current Common Data Views for update and/or additions of new reports for the 23-24 assessment year.
    • Report Development: Launched Program Data Visualization, Updated Data Quality Report Card with some additional edits, Civil Rights Data Collection Report updates.
  • Provide guidance and support for NYSED data collection, requirements and reporting process
    • September/October DDC meetings held.
    • Session 1 of New DDC Training held.
    • Added two new training webinars to help districts with report verification of data collected by NYSED using our regional DW reports.
    • Level 0 webinars are offered at least monthly 
    • Monthly DW Newsletters published for Sept-Nov.
    • DW Support sent outreach communications to districts with potential data gaps –August graduates, staff evaluations, program data needed for
    • NYSAA Kite system
  • Implement and support new and existing data management systems that enhance regional services    \
    • Supporting 2 applications to manage electronic forms for human resource processes including posting, hiring, onboarding and offboarding. Districts can assign and track documents, electronically sign forms, and centrally monitor it all online.
    • Supporting new programs as add-ons to the PowerSchool application to enhance districts’ use of the system.
    • Report Creator allows districts to create templates for report cards, transcripts, and custom reports. Districts can now publish report cards to the parent and teacher portals for easy access and to save on printing/mailing.
    • Attendance Monitor allows districts to set attendance thresholds and notify parents of excessive absences based on the district’s policies. Communication can be done through the Parent Portal, and attendance dashboards are available at district-, school- and student-levels.
• Data Privacy and Security- Provide and maintain a robust security environment to support the protection and reliability of data.
  • Provide guidance regarding Ed Law 2D compliance    
    • Data Protection Officer service – meetings/actionable content that provide participating districts avenues for compliance with the Laws and regulations.
    • New – 2-hour meeting, then 1-hour on NIST CSF
    • New – Open the meetings to include the districts Privacy Team
    • DPS service provides tools for software inventory, security and awareness training, NIST, and digital blasts and debriefs. May 2023 user meeting was held to provide information on new features and updates in all areas
    • April/May 2023 Presented at Spring Regional Tech Coordinator Meetings on Ed Law 2d Compliance
    • Website Requirements
    • Supplemental Information Tracking and Posting
    • NIST Tracking via the RICone NIST Tool
  • Provide cybersecurity guidance and support    •    Regional Tech Coordinator Meetings – Information provided on regional cybersecurity posture, issues, and improvements needed.
    • Enhanced Cybersecurity Service
    • Information on Cybersecurity risks
    • Actionable reports
    • IDS/IPS
    • Vulnerability Scans
    • Penetration Testing
    • Phishing Testing
    •  Suspicious E-mail evaluation and malicious notifications
    • New – EDR, SIEM, and MDR Vendors available through service
    • New – Cyber Summit 1/25 & 26
       

Appendix A: Regulatory Requirements Summary

This plain text version does not support page numbers. Please find the list of required elements below. Each of these elements have been included in this plain text version. 

Required Elements: 

• A description of the regional collaborative planning process  
• A description of how the regional technology plan supports efficient and effective provision of technology services, which includes a description of major challenges to be addressed by the plan.  
• A description of how the regional technology plan addresses the technology and data priorities and needs of the state, and how such plan will increase school district access to technology and assist school districts in developing and maintaining robust information privacy, information security, and cybersecurity controls;
  • State Priority 1: Improving digital equity, including increasing student and teachers access to devices and broadband internet both in school buildings and in place(s) of residence;  
  • State Priority 2: Increasing access to technology-enhanced, culturally- and linguistically-responsive, differentiated, and personalized learning environments to support improved teaching and learning for all students, including students with disabilities and English language learners (ELLs) 
  • State Priority 3: Increasing equitable access to high-quality instruction, courses, and multi-modal learning experiences through digital technology, including but not limited to advanced courses, for all districts, including small, rural, and/or high -needs districts;  
  • State Priority 4: Providing access to relevant and rigorous professional development to ensure educators and leaders are proficient in technology for both instructional and administrative purposes;  
  • State Priority 5: Utilize, maintain, and continue to enhance a robust data environment, including but not limited to the multiple data collection points within the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) and all data applications within the New York State Business Application Portal, to positively impact instruction and decision-making;
  • State Priority 6: Implementing and maintaining data privacy and security controls ensuring compliance with all applicable privacy laws and regulations including, but not limited to, New York Education Law 2-d.  
• A list of regional priorities and needs that the regional technology plan will address;    
• A description of the methods used to identify and priorities needs in the region, which shall include engagement with key stakeholder groups;    3
• A list of quantifiable goals and a description of how the goals will directly address the regional technology needs and improve service delivery over the next five years;  
• Performance objectives for the first two years of the plan;  
• A description of the procedures which will be put in place to monitor the plan’s implementation;  
• An evaluation of the performance objectives for the previous two years 
• Appendix A 
• Appendix B    

Appendix B: Cooperative Planning Assurances

• I approve the regional collaborative planning process used to develop and maintain our regional technology plan. I assure that my BOCES participated fully in the development of this regional plan.
• I assure that users, as defined in guidance, were substantively involved in the development of this plan.
• I assure that all technology services offered by my BOCES and the Regional Information Center are cost-effective.

Document Signed by:

• Scott Payne, Cattaraugus/Allegany BOCES
• Dr. Michael Capuana, Erie 1 BOCES
• Dr. David O'Rourke, Erie 2/Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES
• Dr. Clark J. Godshall, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Board of Cooperative Education Services

Regional Technology Plan

5 Year Plan for Technology Services 

2025-2030 

Western New York Regional Information Center 

Revised: November 2024

[Logos: CA BOCES, Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2- Chatauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES, Orleans Niagara BOCES, WNYRIC Technology Services]

Section One: Regional Technology Planning Process

The Planning Process

The planning process guides the WNYRIC by identifying information and providing insight into the needs of the school districts throughout the region.

These needs are collected by various shareholder groups comprised of leaders representing each division of the WNYRIC. Shareholder groups give their input to District Superintendents for each of the BOCES we serve. Once District Superintendents review and approve these needs, the WNYRIC begins to update or draft the plan.

As the WNYRIC implements the plan, it is responsible for monitoring the progress of each of the goals outlined. These progress reports are distributed to shareholder groups as a tool to guide discussion about future needs and allow for feedback and input as to what can be done to better serve our schools.

Identifying and Prioritizing Regional Needs

A range of shareholder groups and other broad-based fact-finding methods are used to gather information for the purpose of framing the challenges facing school districts in the region. Care is taken to ensure no constituent stakeholders are excluded. This results in the development of a plan that contains meaningful contributions from representatives of all school districts in the region, reflecting not only their needs, but also WNYRIC’s objectives to address those needs.

[Graphic Depicting a flow chart process. Chart begins with District Needs/Input/Feedback, then flows to Shareholder groups. These include FICA (Forum for Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment), Data Warehouse Liaisons, Technology Coordinators, Technology Standards, District Data Coordinators, District Data Protection Officers, and Superintendents. The chart then flows to "Regularly Scheduled Share outs to WNYRIC Leadership Team. The Leadership team in turn drafts the annual technology plan and presents the draft Technology Plan to district superintendents. District superintendents are charged with reviewing the Technology plan, ensuring the plan meets needs, and approves the plan for submission to NYSED. Once approved the plan moves into Implementation. To support implementation the WNYRIC creates and implements school supports and technology services. Through this the flow chart begins again at assessing the needs of districts. ]

Section Two: Current Context

Plan Scope and Regional Priorities                

• Technology Leadership - Maintain and evolve technology environments to support instructional and administrative needs.        
• Instructional Leadership - Provide and reinforce best practices to support instruction to enhance all students’ learning.        
• Data Leadership - Lead, guide and support regional instructional and administrative data requirements and district needs.      
• Data Privacy and Security - Provide and maintain a robust security environment to support the protection and reliability of data.

Section Three: Five Year Technology Plan

•  Technology Leadership- Maintain and evolve technology environments to support instructional and administrative needs.    Provide devices and access to support online learning.  NYSED Aligned Priorities:  1 and 3
  • Provide and support secure and cost-effective cloud offerings    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  3 and 6
  • Provide and support a secure and robust network environment  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:   6
  •  Plan for disaster recovery and redundancy    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 6
• Instructional Leadership - Provide and reinforce best practices to support technology integration for instruction to enhance all students’ learning.    Support districts in understanding and implementing computer science and digital fluency standards. NYSED Aligned Priorities: 3
  • Availability of programs to support online learning    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2 and 3
  • Prepare students for college and/or careers    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2 and 3
  • Access and engagement for all students    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 2
  •  Implement tech integration strategies that align with NYS learning standards  
  • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  2,3, and 4
•  Data Leadership - Lead, guide and support regional instructional and administrative data initiatives.    Provide data views and reports for use in a multiple measure data approach to assess, analyze and prescribe learning plans for all students. NYSED Aligned Priorities:   5
  • Provide guidance and support for NYSED data collection, requirements and reporting process  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  5
  •  Implement and support new and existing data management systems that enhance regional services  
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities:  5
• Data Privacy and Security - Provide and maintain a robust security environment to support the protection and reliability of data.    Provide guidance regarding Ed Law 2D compliance  NYSED Aligned Priorities:   6
  •  Provide cybersecurity guidance and support    
    • NYSED Aligned Priorities: 6

Section Four: Plan Benefits

It is imperative for the school districts in the WNYRIC region to remain on the cutting edge as new technology and applications develop at a rapid pace. The role of the WNYRIC is to provide high quality professional development, innovative technology support, access to on-demand customer service, and secure access to district data. The WNYRIC continues to enhance existing services with updated functionality, as well as offer new products to meet the needs of school districts. As a result, WNYRIC staff continue to investigate emerging technologies and their administrative and instructional uses and implications.

Digital Learning and Fluency Standards will provide the foundation for online offerings that support remote synchronous/asynchronous learning on the part of teachers, students, and school communities. The WNYRIC continues to examine new technologies to provide cost effective access from any device for administrators, teachers, and learners. We ensure that legal and district policies are in place to safely and securely navigate within these environments in compliance with Ed Law 2d and Part 121 Regulations. We continue to provide new instructional technology offerings through the statewide RFP process that is conducted by the WNYRIC.

Technology contributes significantly to how data is used for instructional planning and student achievement. We provide school administrators and teachers with critical information to target resources and implement instructional strategies leading to educational success for all students. The WNYRIC continues to be a leader in the collection and reporting of data that supports the tremendous impact technology has on instruction and student learning. WNYRIC staff assists school districts with formative, summative, and innovative online and authentic assessment use that aligns with Computer Based Testing needs and the expectations of the NYS Blue Ribbon Commission. This is accomplished through effective technology planning as well as providing the essential professional development needed for successful implementation. WNYRIC staff continues to operate at a high level when it comes to all data privacy and security. We research and communicate potential threats and risks to ensure the protection of student information.

Using the input of the region and recommendations from the WNYRIC Standards committee, we establish a single set of service delivery standards that encompass hardware and telecommunications protocols. This allows us to provide consistent infrastructure services to all districts. The WNYRIC continues to design and implement the most cost effective, secure and robust bandwidth (network connectivity), including the utilization of priority layered design. Through our partnerships with multiple vendors and facilitating competitive bidding practices, we obtain a strong price advantage.

Optimization of the WNYRIC Service Desk is achieved using trend analysis to optimize services offered. We use video and centralized service tools to facilitate anytime self-service. Staff utilize the inclusive Active Directory to aid in efficient sharing of resources. For network infrastructure security enhancements, the WNYRIC staff implements cost optimization methods for wide area and local area network security. We remain focused on the continual enhancement of our Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) Plans and Procedures. The WNYRIC continues to update the Disaster Recovery Initiatives for our Tier 1 applications, as appropriate, and Tier 2 applications will be implemented based on time of recovery needs.

Section Five: Results from Previous Plan

Year 3: 2024-2025

• Technology Leadership - Maintain and evolve technology environments to support instructional and administrative needs.
  • Provide and support a secure and robust network environment    

    • Updates to network equipment in the datacenter

    • Updates to VPN appliances, including requiring Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

    • Updates to broadband connections

    • Preparing for a replacement of the broadband firewall in 2026-27

    • Providing redundant backup internet options secured with firewall

  • Provide devices and access to support online and all learning
    • Continuing to support the Erie 1 BOCES virtual school (eAcademy)
    • Support Distance Learning  at Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2 BOCES, and Cattaraugus/Allegany BOCES 
  • Provide and support secure and cost-effective cloud offerings  

    •  Researching back up options for Google and Office 365

    • Collaborating with other RICS on training, cooperative pricing strategies and coverage assistance

    • Exploring Cloud Identity Migration and Management as a service

  • Plan for disaster recovery and redundancy
    • Facilitated professional development around creating Incident Response Plans and disaster recovery for tech coordinators in Erie 1, Erie 2, and Orleans/Niagara BOCES regions. 
    • Offering a new service for Offside cloud Backup Archives
• Instructional Leadership - Provide and reinforce best practices to support technology integration for instruction to enhance all students’ learning.
  • Support districts in understanding and implementing computer science and digital fluency standards
    • Facilitate workshops detailing the Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards
    • Support district audits of current classroom practices
    • Created crosswalks to assist in classroom improvements and adherence to the standards
    • Provided support to districts in navigating the process for SOCE eligibility for teachers of Computer Science Courses
    • Continued to keep these standards in the forefront as many districts view them as lower priority due to their being no assessment tied to implementation
  • Availability of programs to support online learning
    • Support programs for Distance Learning utilized by all local BOCES in our region with products offering credit recovery and/or credit accrual
    • Continue to support Distance Learning programs that offer online tutoring and sessions for supinations and home instruction
    • Member of the NYSDL consortium which grants students the opportunity to enroll in online courses that may not be offered in their current district
    • Coordinates and facilitates virtual field trips and as opportunity for online learning
  • Prepare students for college and/or careers
    • Facilitates and supports the new emphasis on Project Based Learning in accordance with State initiatives through hosting professional development, consortiums, and student events 
    • Increased research and professional development around MTSS
    • Ethical use of Artificial Intelligence has  been a regional focus to ensure students have what they need to move forward in life with AI as a tool 
  • Access and engagement for all students
    • RUS grant funds were utilized in CA and Erie 11 BOCES to provide improved access
    • Leverage technology to make learning materials more accessible to students
    • Professional development teams support districts in curriculum improvements that drive greater engagement and create meaningful connections for the students and their assignments
  • Implement tech integration strategies that align with NYS learning standards 
    • Due to the lack of substitutes across the region, technology integration coordinators have adopted a coaching model with adapts classroom technology to meet the content and curriculum already being taught
• Data Leadership - Lead, guide and support regional instructional and administrative data initiatives.
  • Provide data views and reports for use in a multiple measure data approach to assess, analyze and prescribe learning plans for all students
    • Added District Overview Dashboard for easier viewing of current state of data and recognition errors
    • Added report to assist in verification of Staff Evaluation Data that identifies missing and incomplete reporting data
    • Created new item analysis reports for science 5 & 8 based on new Science standards
    • Updated reports for new Algebra I regents exam
    • Program Data Visualization
    • Added additional check to the Data Quality Report Card to enhance districts ability to check the quality of data
    • Updated 3rd party vendor extracts (ie. eDoctrina) for easy import
    • Refreshed District Comparisons Visualization with statewide publicly released data
    • Recruited teachers o complete item maps to tie Regent's exam questions to the state standard, populated item analysis reports. Shared statewide. 
    • Provided information on how course/teacher information gets reported to the data warehouse to instructional coordinators
    • Support component districts and BOCES with questions and issues related to level 1 instructional reports
    • Provide on-site training on Level 1 Reporting and ESSA reporting to Iroquois, Lake Shore, Forestview, Frewsburg, and Sliver Creek
  • Provide guidance and support for NYSED data collection, requirements and reporting process

    • Meetings and Trainings: Held biannual Liaison meetings to review report offerings, discuss updates, brainstorm ideas for new reports

    • Offered free virtual trainings throughout the year on: Level 0, Basic Navigation, Level 0 Security, Level 0 Reports, Level 1, Basic Navigation, Statewide Comparison Visualization, Visualizations, Data Quality Report Cards, Level 2, BEDS Reporting, EOY SIRS Reports, UIAS Report, and NYSSIS

    • Participate in level 2 RPT Workgroups to update the refreshed SIRS reports

    • Outreach and communications: Monthly DW Newsletters published each month and posted to Data view Website, provided timely outreach communications to districts with data gaps, and ensured districts, charters, and non-pubs completed SIRS Reports Certification on time

    • Conducted training for staff development coordinators on site at CA BOCES, Erie 1, and Erie 2 BOCES

  • Implement and support new and existing data management systems that enhance regional services
    • Created web application for Erie 1 BOCES Labor Relations team to collect and report suspension data. Currently in the process of rolling out to districts. Looking to expand the project to assist with the focus on disproportionality in discipline.
• Data Privacy and Security - Provide and maintain a robust security environment to support the protection and reliability of data.
  • Provide guidance regarding Ed Law 2D compliance

    • Offer the Data Protection Officer service which provides meetings/actionable content to guide districts in compliance with the Laws and regulations. These meetings have been opened to include district Privacy Teams.

    • Created the New DPO Coach service to provide tailored in-district coaching to district's Data Protection Officers, covering compliance, data security, incident response planning, disaster recovery planning and professional development.

    • DPS tools offered through RIC One support software inventory, security and awareness training, NIST progress tracking, and digital communications.

    • Supporting the rollout and training for SDPC to standardize the process for managing and requesting Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs)

    • Lead an inclusive group of end-users and marketplace providers addressing day-to-day, real-world multi-faceted issues faced by data privacy stewards.

  • Provide cybersecurity guidance and support

    • Host Regional Tech Coordinator Meetings to distribute information on regional cybersecurity posture, issues, and improvements needed.

    • Offer the Enhanced Cybersecurity Service to districts to provide comprehensive support on identifying risks, creating actionable reports, running vulnerability scans, and facilitating penetration and phishing tests among other supports.

    • Created and hosted the WNYRIC Cyber Summit; a 2-day conference that brought together district personnel and cybersecurity experts for

      networking and learning.

Appendix A: Regulatory Requirements Summary

This plain text version does not support page numbers. Please find the list of required elements below. Each of these elements have been included in this plain text version. 

Required Elements: 

• A description of the regional collaborative planning process  
• A description of how the regional technology plan supports efficient and effective provision of technology services, which includes a description of major challenges to be addressed by the plan.  
• A description of how the regional technology plan addresses the technology and data priorities and needs of the state, and how such plan will increase school district access to technology and assist school districts in developing and maintaining robust information privacy, information security, and cybersecurity controls;
  • State Priority 1: Improving digital equity, including increasing student and teachers access to devices and broadband internet both in school buildings and in place(s) of residence;  
  • State Priority 2: Increasing access to technology-enhanced, culturally- and linguistically-responsive, differentiated, and personalized learning environments to support improved teaching and learning for all students, including students with disabilities and English language learners (ELLs) 
  • State Priority 3: Increasing equitable access to high-quality instruction, courses, and multi-modal learning experiences through digital technology, including but not limited to advanced courses, for all districts, including small, rural, and/or high -needs districts;  
  • State Priority 4: Providing access to relevant and rigorous professional development to ensure educators and leaders are proficient in technology for both instructional and administrative purposes;  
  • State Priority 5: Utilize, maintain, and continue to enhance a robust data environment, including but not limited to the multiple data collection points within the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) and all data applications within the New York State Business Application Portal, to positively impact instruction and decision-making;
  • State Priority 6: Implementing and maintaining data privacy and security controls ensuring compliance with all applicable privacy laws and regulations including, but not limited to, New York Education Law 2-d.  
• A list of regional priorities and needs that the regional technology plan will address;    
• A description of the methods used to identify and priorities needs in the region, which shall include engagement with key stakeholder groups;    3
• A list of quantifiable goals and a description of how the goals will directly address the regional technology needs and improve service delivery over the next five years;  
• Performance objectives for the first two years of the plan;  
• A description of the procedures which will be put in place to monitor the plan’s implementation;  
• An evaluation of the performance objectives for the previous two years 
• Appendix A 
• Appendix B    

Appendix B: Cooperative Planning Assurances

• I approve the regional collaborative planning process used to develop and maintain our regional technology plan. I assure that my BOCES participated fully in the development of this regional plan.
• I assure that users, as defined in guidance, were substantively involved in the development of this plan.
• I assure that all technology services offered by my BOCES and the Regional Information Center are cost-effective.

Document Signed by:

• Scott Payne, Cattaraugus/Allegany BOCES
• Dr. Michael Capuana, Erie 1 BOCES
• Dr. David O'Rourke, Erie 2/Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES
• Taweepon Farrar, Orleans/Niagara BOCES